To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Amelia Island event, 8 - 9
March 2019.
Estimate:
$700,000 - $900,000
- Rare, late-production Vignale spyder; most refined of the
series
- The 245th example of 248 built
- Highly desirable five-speed gearbox and four-wheel disc
brakes
- Comprehensive restoration by marque specialists in Italy
- Finished in its original factory color combination
- Fully documented history and restoration
- Includes spare tire, tool roll, and jack
In 1957 Maserati introduced the Superleggera-bodied 3500 GT, its
first road car built in significant numbers. A luxury 2+2, the 3500
GT utilized a twin-overhead-camshaft, six-cylinder engine that
developed around 220 bhp, initially. Later examples, such as this
car, produced 235 bhp with Lucas mechanical fuel injection. Built
initially with drum brakes and four-speed transmission, the 3500 GT
was progressively updated, gaining front disc brakes and finally, a
ZF five-speed gearbox and four-wheel disc brakes, as featured on
this car.
This 3500 GTi, chassis no. 2769, was delivered new to Se�or Domingo
Gotarta of Barcelona, Spain. Research by noted Maserati historian
Adolfo Orsi indicates it is a very late-production car completed in
October 1963 and is believed to be the 245th 3500 GT Vignale
Spyder, the fourth-from-last example produced. For the first 25
years of its life, this Maserati remained in Spain. A service
invoice made out to Jose Mogas Bassas from the Maserati factory
dated 26 May 1969 documents the car's mileage at 40,282 km and
registered in Barcelona as B 378804. The last person to own the car
in Spain was Juan Alberto Jepus Fabres, the Mayor of Sarria, a town
in the north-western province of Lugo, as evidenced on Se�or
Fabres' letterhead.
In 1989, Fabres sold the 3500 GTi to Malcom Clube, an eccentric
British ex-Special Forces racing driver who discovered the car in
an underground parking garage. Leaving a note with an offer to buy
the car generated interest, but it took several overtures by Mr.
Clube to come to an agreement and finally acquire the Maserati
later that year in October. Clube imported the car to the UK and
placed it into storage where it remained for the next 14 years,
with the Spanish registration still attached.
Chassis 2769 was then purchased by Kidston S.A. on behalf of a
Swiss resident client who commissioned a comprehensive, rotisserie
restoration of this very special Maserati. Desiring only the best
of work, it was sent back to Italy for restoration. Body and paint
work was performed by craftsman Bacchelli and Villa at Carrozzeria
Auto Sport near Modena. They stripped it down to bare metal,
mounted it to a rotisserie, and carefully perfected every inch of
the body before applying a new coat of the original and stunning
factory color of Azzurro Metallizzato. Reassembly included
show-quality re-chroming and polishing of all brightwork and
refurbishing of the original Borrani wire wheels.
Mechanical elements of the car were done by marque specialists
Candini Classiche Srl in Modena, widely considered one of the most
experienced and expert Maserati shops in the world. Every
mechanical component was rebuilt, serviced, or replaced, including
a total rebuild of the DOHC inline six-cylinder engine that
included new cylinder liners, timing chains, cylinder heads with
new valves, and water pump. Also rebuilt were the brake system with
new calipers and rebuilt servo and brake lines. The driveshaft was
rebuilt and properly balanced, the fuel pumps and water pump
rebuilt, and the steering box overhauled, as well. The ZF
five-speed transmission was gone through and a new master cylinder
installed, plus an all-new and correct wiring harness fitted.
Restoration was completed in 2006 and then remained part of a
German collector's stable until 2009 before making its way to the
U.S., where it was acquired by the consignor in 2015.
Recently, after an exhaustive search for leather of the correct
weight, texture, and hue was located, the interior was restored in
the correct Connolly leather color of Pelle Rosso, as originally
specified. Driven regularly but sparingly, it has been fastidiously
maintained and cared for, and the current owner notes that it is
properly sorted, performs superbly, and is exhilarating to
drive.
The most refined and rarest of the series, this important Maserati
3500 GTi Spyder by Vignale is a stunning example of Italian
craftsmanship and design.To view this car and others currently
consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/am19.